STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1380

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 1305

        H.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1305, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure that in times of emergencies or disasters where assistance may be necessary to restore critical electrical and natural gas infrastructure, the State and electrical and natural gas utilities would be lawfully allowed to enter into a mutual assistance agreement with an out-of-state utility to assist in the restoration of electrical and natural gas power.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaiian Electric Companies, Hawaii Gas, and Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that whenever an emergency or disaster causes overwhelming damage to the electrical grid or utility gas infrastructure on which Hawaii depends, there is an immediate need to restore the electric grid and utilities.  Your Committee also finds that powerful storms are increasing in frequency due to the effects of global climate change.  Your Committee further finds that mutual assistance agreements are an important mechanism that can improve the resilience of Hawaii's regulated energy infrastructure and expedite the restoration of utility service to customers in the event of a disaster that disrupts the State's energy infrastructure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1305, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair